Mushroom expert and author Melany Kahn hangs her hat in New England, but she’s coming to the Twin Cities this week for a series of events.  Her book, “Mason Goes Mushrooming,” is inspiration for young people to get outside and start eyeing the forest floors this spring.  My 6-year-old daughter is a budding mycologist herself,...Read More

Coming up on Wednesday, May 17, Jazz88 presents the first performance in a series of spring and summer Jazzclectic pop-up concerts. Trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim and his Quartet will play from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Great Lawn, just north of Allianz Field, before the Loons’ match against Houston. No game ticket required; all are...Read More

Studies indicate that students with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds benefit from the role modeling provided by teachers who share their attributes, but BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) teachers are in short supply. Metro State University’s Urban Educator Program, located on their Minneapolis campus, is looking to help solve the problem, and we recently...Read More

UPDATE (Mar. 2): Most of our streaming services are restored.  On-Demand programs should come back as their new episodes air.  We’re aware of an issue where TuneIn is carrying Minnesota Jazz Tracks instead of Jazz88 and we have informed them of the problem. Our own Web Player on this site is correct. Apologies if you’re...Read More

Some high-profile spots on the Jazz88 Mainstage at the 2023 Twin Cities Jazz Festival now have equally high-profile artists booked.  The Festival’s outgoing Executive Director Steve Heckler made the first wave of artist announcements on Jazz88 Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, for the 24th edition of the Fest: https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20230117135452-SteveHecklerJan17.mp3 After having to cancel prior bookings due...Read More

Noted vocalist, composer, and educator, PaviElle French, is adding the titles of Jazz88 radio host and producer to her resume. Her DJ alter ego, Lady Luca, will present an expansive blues-based show as part of the station’s 12-hour blues music block on Fridays. The new program debuts Friday night, Jan. 6, from 9 to 11...Read More

Pictured above: Charleston, S.C.-based outfit Ranky Tanky performs on Toast of the Nation this weekend. The end of the year is a good time to reflect on highs and lows. Sean McPherson will help us do just that on Friday, Dec. 30th, with a review of the top jazz releases of 2022, as heard on...Read More

Can a diverse teaching workforce improve student achievement in diverse schools? Metropolitan State University hopes to train a new generation of educators with their Urban Teacher program. Metro State’s Victor Cole spoke with Miss Margaret on The Morning Show Wednesday, October 26th.  Hear their conversation with the player below. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20221027143751-VictorCole_10_26.mp3 Originally aired Wednesday, October 26...Read More

From humble beginnings in 1970, KBEM-FM has become the most powerful and longest-lasting radio station owned by a Minnesota school district, and one of the nation’s leading broadcast voices for jazz. Explore the people, places and events that have shaped KBEM’s first 50 years in this audio series. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20220204172918-KBEM50th_MnDOTinthe90s.mp3 In 1989 KBEM partnered with the...Read More

From humble beginnings in 1970, KBEM-FM has become the most powerful and longest-lasting radio station owned by a Minnesota school district, and one of the nation’s leading broadcast voices for jazz. Explore the people, places and events that have shaped KBEM’s first 50 years in this audio series. https://kbem-od.streamguys1.com/kbem/20220202231912-KBEM50th_ThomasKoelgen.mp3 In this episode we hear from...Read More